Bonnie and Camille are absolute geniouses when it comes to designing fabric. They have the Magic Touch, without any doubt. They can do no wrong when it comes to designing fabrics. This quilt is finally done! I used their Simple Abundance fabric line, which makes any project adorable. Love the cheerful summery feel of this basket quilt. Any ideas on how it should be quilted? I would love your suggestions!
The pattern is MoJo by Miss Rosie's Quilt Company, designed by the also brilliant Carrie Nelson. MoJo for Jo Morton, don't you know? I have had my MoJo workin' for the past year or so on this quilt. And even longer in the planning stage. I have wanted to make this quilt since the pattern was released, back in 2006 or something.
There was quite a lot of piecing going on here, which may be why the project got bogged down for a period of time. I'd work on it for weekend or so, then put it away. This quilt makes me very happy. I would like to have a room--maybe my guest room?-- where I can decorate around it. Anyone who sleeps under this quilt will have very cheerful dreams! Can't you see a big bouquet of summer annuals on the dresser next to the quilt?
Isn't it amazing what you can accomplish when the chips are down and you don't let yourself get distracted? I was so darn down in the dumps this past weekend, the only thing that let me lose myself was to buckle down and sew. Thank goodness for Quilting Therapy!
I find that I often procrastinate that final finishing touch, such as the borders. My blocks may get sewn together, but I put things away without taking that last step of completion. This past weekend, I had three quilts that needed their borders put on, and I tackled the job. It looks like I did a lot, but I didn't really. The quilts were essentially done, so all I had to do was measure and cut their borders and get them attached.
Very pleased with my RCBQ (Ridiculously Cute Basket Quilt). Be sure to offer your ideas on how it might be quilted. I would love to hear them.
Oh, my son Ahren has arrived safely in Dublin. No hitches in his travels. This week he and Mary Ann are looking for an apartment or town house to rent. In Dublin, most rentals come furnished, interestingly enough. But...If it were you, wouldn't you at least want your own mattress? I'm just saying....
I agree, whatever Bonnie and Camille design is a hit! I do think that whatever you make that quilt out of though turns out really nice. Those baskets are so cute. I made that pattern out of a pastel line that Blackbird did a few years ago (can't remember the name though - it was awhile ago. Turned out really nice too. Still love that quilt.
Marsha
Posted by: Marsha | May 25, 2011 at 05:12 AM
Well, friend, it is just gorgeous. The border is spectacular. I remember when you first started this project. You posted pictures and I got inspired and made a similar quilt, Going Rouge; you can see it here: http://nancynearphiladelphia.blogspot.com/2010/09/nancy-near-philadelphias-red-period.html
I often languish before getting borders on. I don't enjoy that part of the quilt.
Anyway, Bravo!!!
Posted by: nancy, near philadelphia | May 25, 2011 at 05:48 AM
Your RCBC is WONDERFUL!! Well done on fabric choices and placement, too. I agree there could be nothing be sweet dreams when sleeping under this quilt. Applause, applause!!!
I share your tendency to make quilt centers and then let time pass before adding the borders. I did that very thing on 4+ quilts that are or were part of my UFOs. This year I am on my way to finishing them.
Cheers that Ahren's trip was uneventful and that he's safely in Ireland. I hope he and Mary Ann find a lovely apartment that is well located. I'm with you on the mattress thought!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | May 25, 2011 at 06:14 AM
Oh that quilt IS ridiculously cute, it's one of my all time favorites of all the favorites I have of your quilts. I have just a enough Simple Abundance fabric left for one more quilt, I agree, that fabric is great.
What's not to love about finishing 3 quilts in one weekend, there's your silver lining. Things will get better soon, really, I can feel it!
Posted by: Thelma | May 25, 2011 at 06:16 AM
I love how your quilt turned out! Fabulous!
Posted by: Sandy Rowe | May 25, 2011 at 06:21 AM
This is one of my favorites you have finished. I love it. Ahren's life is so romantic right now but hard on Mom I'm sure. Your finishes this week have been so entertaining! and amazing!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | May 25, 2011 at 06:48 AM
Love it! I think I'd quilt along the sashing lines, and I also think I would outline the flower basket, and even go so far as to outline all those lovely triangle "flowers". Lots of work, but it would sure pop.
Posted by: Diane Linford | May 25, 2011 at 06:54 AM
The quilt IS ridiculously CUTE!! I think quilting around the sashing & outlining the baskets and flowers suggested above would be perfect. Pretty labor intensive, but it would pop!! I can get my borders on but slow down on the back of quilts! Why? Because I like to do some piecing on the backs and often have trouble deciding how to put a variation of the top on part of the back.
Seriously, maybe Mary Ann & Ahren could invest in a mattress of their own if the apartment they find comes furnished!!
Posted by: Jan | May 25, 2011 at 07:11 AM
Ridiculously cute is just that! Simple Abundance is one of my favorite collections ever, I still haven't seen something made from it that wasn't also ridiculously cute... though not as ridiculously cute as these baskets.
I am SO with you! Rented furniture is fine for a little while... Ahren and Mary Ann can start collecting pieces together. But i absolutely, positively would not want a rented bed. I know... it is no different than a hotel but still. For a week or two... maybe. But after that, I would have bought my own. That is what Ikea is for! Thet ought to have those in Dublin, wouldn't you think?
Posted by: Carrie | May 25, 2011 at 07:41 AM
Oh Nicole....another FABU-lous quilt! These are truly the ridiculously cute baskets. I'm so inspired by your work. Quilting flowers on each of the triangle flowers in the baskets does sound like the best thing to do even though it sounds like it is labor intensive as others have said.
Best wishes to Ahren and MaryAnn as they find their first home sweet home!
Posted by: sillysally | May 25, 2011 at 07:48 AM
I'll come stay in the guest room! How cute of a quilt is that:) I love baskets and someday want to make one and the fabric is perfect in every way! Well done:)
Laura T
Posted by: Laura Tawney | May 25, 2011 at 08:18 AM
I love that you finished this gorgeous quilt, Nicole! It rocks! I would quilt it with the panto Hearts in Bloom that I just used on Stephanie's new quilt. It has hearts and flowers and those cute baskets need to be filled with both! I hope the lovebirds find a nice place - Europeans are so much less intimidated by "used" furniture, but I would frankly worry about crawly things in the mattress for sure!
Cheers!
Posted by: Candace | May 25, 2011 at 09:38 AM
RCBQ is fabulous Nicole. I'm not the one to ask about how to quilt it though. Simple Abundance will definite bring sweet dreams..
Thank goodness for quilt therapy....he'll move back one day.
Posted by: Mary on Lake Pulaski | May 25, 2011 at 10:48 AM
Yes, yes, definitely my own mattress! I'm glad your son arrived safe and now let life begin....! You are on a roll! I let my quilts lay forever, too, before I get the borders put on. Very cute baskets!
Posted by: Nancy Watkins | May 25, 2011 at 10:50 AM
You're RCBC quilt is more than cute. And I'm with you about putting borders on - not my favorite part of making a quilt. Nice job. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Cindy | May 25, 2011 at 12:55 PM
I like it a whole lot, and I've never been a big fan of baskets.
Posted by: jane | May 25, 2011 at 04:18 PM
Hi Nicole, When my youngest daughter's boyfriend left last year to go to university in Edinburgh, Scotland, he bought a device called Magic Jack. I have no idea how it works. They could phone each other every day for free. My daughter was able to visit him for nearly two weeks recently, and she phoned me every day. For free. I'm sure Ahren would already know about this, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Keeps them closer, right? My daughter's boyfriend came back to Canada just two days ago. Yay! Fondly, Rae Parkin.
Posted by: anonymous | May 25, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Sweet Perfection!It looks like not only did the stars line up for you and the pattern and the fabric- but also the points of the HST's! Your quilt is perfectly beautiful. It looks like the stars are lined up for Ahren too. I use Skype to talk to my special people in far away lands. Free. I even get to see them face to face on the computer.
Posted by: Sinta Renee | May 25, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Beautiful! What about playing off the basket theme and incorporating a woven looking background quilting.
Posted by: Kari | May 25, 2011 at 05:31 PM
Very cute & lovely quilt. Guaranteed to bring sweet dreams. Glad to see that you're cheering up some!
Debbie R.
Posted by: Debbie R. | May 25, 2011 at 08:13 PM
With the population of bed bugs soaring...I was INSIST on my own bedroom furniture. Period.
Posted by: ina | May 25, 2011 at 10:01 PM
Absolutely darling quilt! I read your blog faithfully but rarely comment...but wanted you to know I was thinking of you with your son so far away. My son moved to France to be with his (now) wife. I was happy for him but it broke my heart at the time. If you don't use skype already, I would recommend it. We chat frequently and I get to see him and his family every week. I was virtually at my grandson's birthday parties, Christmas etc. It is not the same as having him here but thank goodness for technology and it is free! Take care....
Posted by: Barb | May 26, 2011 at 03:13 AM
Beautiful basket quilt. I love basket quilts. Glad to hear Ahren arrived safely. Now, when are we going to visit him and his lady?
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | May 26, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Love this quilt. I have added it my list of projects...I might have to copy your cute name for it when I make it, though!
Posted by: sherri | May 26, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Ridiculously cute baskets is right!! Love the sashing. No idea on the quilting, I've seen baskets done all kinds of ways with tiny feathers in the basket and then a flower quilted in the empty basket handle part, maybe with leaves going around the outside of flowers mimicking the border? Whoever quilts it will do a great job I'm sure. PS - I had to LOL at your mattress comment...so true!! They won't even take used mattresses for donation, so what does that tell you. They carry bedbugs, diseases and who knows what else..just saying :)
Posted by: Anita | May 26, 2011 at 02:03 PM